I Text of the treaty (*)

THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, HIS  ROYALHIGHNESS THE PRINCE ROYAL OF BELGIUM, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC, HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE GRAND DUCHESS OF LUXEMBOURG, HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS,

CONSIDERING that world peace can be safeguarded only by creative efforts commensurate with the dangers that threaten it,

CONVINCED that the contribution which an organized and vital Europe can make to civilization is indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations,

RECOGNIZING that Europe can be built only through practical achievements which will first of all create real solidarity, and through the establishment of common bases for economic development,

ANXIOUS to help, by expanding their basic production, to raise the standard of living and further the works of peace,

RESOLVED to substitute for age old rivalries the merging of their essential interests; to create, by establishing an economic community, the basis for a broader and deeper community among peoples long divided by bloody conflicts; and to lay the foundations for institutions which will give direction to a destiny henceforward shared,

HAVE DECIDED to create a EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY and to this end have designated as their Plenipotentiaries:

THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Dr Konrad ADENAUER, Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs,

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE ROYAL OF BELGIUM

Mr Paul VAN ZEELAND, Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Mr Joseph MEURICE, Minister for Foreign Trade;

THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC:

Mr Robert SCHUMAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs;

THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC:

Mr Carlo SFORZA, Minister for Foreign Affairs;

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE GRAND DUCHESS OF LUXEMBOURG:

Mr Joseph BECH, Minister for Foreign Affairs;

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS:

Mr D. U. STIKKER, Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Mr J. R. M. VAN DEN BRINK, Minister for Economic Affairs;

WHO, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows.

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